Reader: Check out my impressive list of great athletes who enjoy weed

Our interview with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition executive director Neill Franklin, who co-wrote a letter criticizing U.S. Attorney John Walsh's seizure threat to 23 dispensaries near schools attracted many comments that went beyond the subject at hand. Example: this list athletes who one reader counts among notable pot aficionados...

By Michael Roberts

January 25, 2012

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Our interview with Law Enforcement Against Prohibition executive director Neill Franklin, who co-wrote a letter criticizing U.S. Attorney John Walsh's seizure threat to 23 dispensaries near schools attracted many comments that went beyond the subject at hand. Example: this list athletes who one reader counts among notable pot aficionados.

Malcom Kyle writes:

Derp, I see you're not yet convinced that this magic plant is used by many successful people and can actually enhance and improve human abilities? Here are just a few of the many highly motivated athletes whose drug of choice is cannabis/marijuana:

* Usain Bolt, the 2008 World Record holder of the 100 and 200 meter sprint.

* Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer ever with 14 Olympic gold medals.

* Tim Linecum, the National League baseball's Cy Young Award winner for 2009.

* Santonio Holmes, the Super Bowl XLII's MVP.

* Mark Stepnoski, two-time Super Bowl champion. "I'd rather smoke than take painkillers."

* Randy Moss, NFL single season touchdown reception record (23, set in 2007), and the NFL single-season touchdown reception record for a rookie (17, in 1998). Moss has founded, and financed many charitable endeavors including the the Links for Learning foundation, formed in 2008.

* Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leader in points scored (38,387), games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots and defensive rebounds. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season MVP Awards. He has a prescription to smoke marijuana in California, which he says he uses to control nausea and migraine headaches. He has been arrested twice for marijuana possession.

* "I just let him know that most of the players in the league use marijuana and I have and do partake in smoking weed in the offseason" - Josh Howard, forward for the Dallas Mavericks. Howard admitted to smoking marijuana on Michel Irvin's ESPN show.

* "You got guys out there playing high every night. You got 60% of your league on marijuana. What can you do?" - Charles Oakley (Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets)

* "I personally know boxers, body builders, cyclists, runners and athletes from all walks of life that train and compete with the assistance of marijuana," - WWE wrestler Rob Van Dam

* Some of the best cricket players of all time, like Phil Tufnell and Sir Ian Botham, have admitted to regularly using marijuana to deal with stress and muscle aches. In 2001, half of South Africa's cricket team was caught smoking marijuana with the team physiotherapist. They were celebrating a championship victory in the Caribbean.

For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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